Soldier Oli is a rhyming picture book for children under eight years old.  It tells the story of a soldier leaving his family to go on a tour and then celebrates his joyous return.  Soldier Oli has been written in the hope that it will help children from military families understand and cope better with deployment and for other children to better understand army life.  50p from the sale of every book goes to support the Army Benevolent Fund.

The author and illustrator, Kirsty Marvell, came up with the idea for her book in 2007 whilst living in Paderborn, Germany.  Whilst in Germany, Kirsty’s husband, as well as most of the other soldiers in the street, left for a seven month tour in Iraq.  At the time Kirsty’s son was only nine months old but she realised that older children might find it difficult to understand that although their daddy or mummy was leaving , they would eventually come home again.

Kirsty also thought it important that there was a book for children where a soldier was the main character.  Many children have soldiers as role models but there seem to be few books available to young children about soldiers.

With bright illustrations and simple rhyme children are introduced to Soldier Oli.  The book includes pictures of tanks, ships, C130s and of course Soldier Oli and his family.  In the book children are made aware of the separation that occurs when a soldier goes on a tour but are also told about all the important things they can do whilst their mummy or daddy is away.  Kirsty has also used some military language in the book, hoping that soldiers will recognise themselves in the book and will enjoy reading Soldier Oli to their children.   

Move over Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and Postman Pat, there is a new man in town!